With the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued schedule for by-elections to the constituencies which fell vacant in the country, State Chief Electoral Officer Banwarlal on Tuesday announced that model code of conduct came into force in 12 districts in which by-elections would be conducted for 18 Assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha segment. He made it clear that the ongoing Prajapatham program would be immediately stopped in these constituencies.
Speaking to the media in his chamber in the Secretariat, Banwarlal made it clear that model code of conduct comes into effect from the day of issuance of election schedule in 12 districts. The ongoing Prajapatham program should not also continue in these 12 districts and the ministers should not tour in these districts as per the code. Transfers of officers in these 12 districts and State-level officers having links with elections were also banned.
The government should not announce any development or welfare scheme which shows impact in the election-bound constituencies. Works on projects, which were already sanctioned, but not grounded, should not be taken up in these districts. The works, which were already taken up, may be continued and completed, he clarified. The government should not release advertisements to the media on development programs in view of model code of conduct, he added. The media should not telecast and print pre-poll surveys till the elections are over, he added. Instead of pre-poll surveys, the media could propagate the provisions of model code of conduct that helps ensue free and fair elections, he suggested.
Reminding that he toured districts bound for by-elections, the Chief Electoral Officer said that he had held a meeting with the District Collectors and representatives of political parties to discuss the matters related to elections. The political parties’ representatives assured him that they would not distribute money and liquor to the voters. Exuding confidence that they would keep their word, Banwarlal said that steps would be taken to check distribution of money and liquor to the voters. Stringent action would be taken against those who used caste and religion in the election campaigning, he warned.
Elections to 18 Assembly constituencies and one Parliament seat would be held at 5,405 polling stations. Total number of voters in these constituencies is 44,01,392 including 22,41,134 women voters and 22.6 lakh men voters. Voting right would be provided to those enrolled their names before 10 days of release of Election notification, he added.
Replying to a question, Banwarlal made it clear that he has nothing to do with local body elections in the State.(NSS)